To the passengers of the hijacked place these hijackers came to be known respectively as (1) Chief, (2) Doctor, (3) Burger, (4) Bhola, and (5) Shankar, the names by which the hijackers invariably addressed one another.

The identity of the hijackers was established after the arrest of 4 of their accomplices in Mumbai following investigations by Indian authorities. The accomplices are all operatives of the Inter Services Intelligence of Pakistan and formed a support cell for the five hijackers of the Indian Airlines aircraft.

The four arrested accomplices are:

1. Mohammed Rehan (from Karachi, Pakistan)
2. Mohammed Iqbal (from Multan, Pakistan)
3. Yusuf Nepali (Nepal)
4. Abdul Latif (India)

A telephone call was made from Pakistan asking Abdul Latif in Mumbai to tell a certain TV correspondent in London that if the demands of the hijackers were not conceded they would blow up the plane. The intelligence officials intercepted this on December 29^th night and subsequently arrest of the four was made.

All four of them confessed to have links with Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (earlier known as Harkat-ul- Ansar), a terrorist organization based in Pakistan.
Of those arrested, Yusuf Nepali had traveled to Kathmandu and provided the weapons used in the hijacking and Abdul Latif had helped in preparation of documents including passports and Indian licenses for the five Pakistani hijackers at Mumbai.
Besides crucial documents, at least 2 AK-56 rifles, hand grenades, anti-tank TNT shells, explosives and detonators were found during the arrest.
A huge amount of Indian currency was also found at the time of the arrest. During the interrogation, the group confessed to having committed an armed robbery of the Boriveli branch of the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank in October 1999 and looting Rs. 750,000. The arrested men were booked in that connection as that case had already been registered.
Photographs of the hijackers of the Indian Airlines plane were recovered during the raid along with two passports, which were in fact made for hijackers still on board the Indian airlines plane. Passports were made on the basis of forged documents.
Interrogation of these four accomplices have confirmed that the hijacking was an ISI operation executed with the assistance of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HUM), and further, that all the five hijackers are Pakistan nationals.

Preparations for the hijacking:

The hijackers as well as their Mumbai based associates, particularly Abdul Latif, made several trips to Kathmandu during the months of November and December 1999.
On November 1, 1999, the Chief hijacker Akhtar accompanied by Abdul Latif left Mumbai for Calcutta by air. From Calcutta they took a train to New Jalpaiguri and then went to Kathmandu by bus. Abdul Latif returned after dropping Sayed Shahid Akhtar at Kathmandu.
A copy of the application of Ibrahim Athar (brother of released terrorist Maulana Masood Azhar), for a Nepalese visa in Karachi on November 18, 1999 shows that he is from Pakistan. The application was made under Athar’s work name of Farooq Siddiqi on a Pakistani passport and with a clearly recognizable photograph. An address in Sindh has been provided.
On December 1, 1999, Abdul Latif made another trip to Kathmandu, along with Shakir. This time he traveled by train to Gorakhpur and from there onwards to Kathmandu by bus.
On December 17, 1999, Latif took an Indian Airlines flight from Kathmandu to Delhi and returned to Mumbai by train.

Pakistan’s complicity:

A little while before the departure of IC-814 from Kathmandu, a Pakistan Embassy car (42 CD 14) arrived at the airport. Among the three officials who dismounted from the car and proceeded to the Departure Lounge was one who is believed to have supplied a consignment of RDX to a group of Punjabi militants in Kathmandu some years back.
When the hijackers took control of the aircraft and announced that the place had been hijacked their first directive to the Pilot was: Proceed to Lahore. They did not want to land anywhere in India and forced the pilot to take off from Amritsar with nearly empty fuel tanks.
At the Indian pilot’s request, ATC Lahore declined to permit the Indian Airlines place to land but when on its way back from Amritsar, the chief Hijacker spoke to ATC - Lahore and urged him that the plane had to be refueled, the ATC - Lahore allowed it to land, and provided it fuel.
Pakistani authorities never publicly announced that the hijackers and three terrorists should not expect asylum in Pakistan. They did not even ask the Taliban not to leave them anywhere near the Pak-Afghan border

Taliban's authorities said that the 4 hijackers and 3 terrorists released by India jails had been left on the Pak-Afghan border near Quetta, Baluchistan.

The released terrorists have surfaced in Pakistan. Addressing a public meeting in Lahore, Maulana Masood Azhar calls for a “jihad” against India and the United States. Upon his arrival in Karachi, Pakistan, Maulana Azhar, who is the ideologue of Pakistan-based terrorist organization, Harkat-ul Mujahideen (earlier Harkat-ul Ansar) warned that cases like hijacking would continue. He praised Pakistan's General Pervez Musharraf for declaring that he would talk to India only on Kashmir.
From the intercepted conversation transcripts, at every stage of the hijacking, the hijackers were in constant touch with General Head Quarters of ISI in Rawalpindi. The hijackers possessed a very sophisticated satellite telephone to communicate with Rawalpindi. When the authorities in Kabul refused to allow the hijacked aircraft to land, which was communicated by the hijackers to the authorities in Rawalpindi, they were asked to proceed to Kandahar by the people in Rawalpindi.

Out of the 36 prisoners whose release was demanded by the hijackers as many as 33 were Pakistanis, one was a U.K. national of Pakistani origin, and one was an Afghan. Only one was a Kashmiri Indian. Pakistani interest in getting these prisoners released is evident and backed by earlier attempts.
Maulana Masood Azhar, former General Secretary of Harkar-ul Ansar, who had entered India under the pseudonym Essa Bin Adam on a Portuguese passport in early 1994 with the obvious objective of promoting militancy in Jammu & Kashmir, was owned by the Pakistan Government as early as June 1996, when Major General (Retd.) Nasirullah Khan Babar, the then Interior Minister of the Government of Pakistan, wrote to the then High Commissioner of India in Islamabad seeking his release on "humanitarian grounds". The use by Maulana Masood Azhar of a pseudonym and a Portuguese passport is in consonance with the Pakistani technique of concealing the real identity through such means.
The Maulana’s release was also the main demand of the HUM when it kidnapped a group of western tourists in Jammu & Kashmir in 1995.
Later, in December 1997, the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi sent a formal Note Verbale to the Ministry of External Affairs claiming Maulana Masood Azhar to be a Pakistan national and requesting for Consular access.

Hijacking ends & Passengers are released (December 31, 1999)

India released three jailed Islamic terrorists and flew them to Afghanistan, where they are exchanged for more than 150 hostages aboard the Indian Airlines flight IC-814 that was hijacked on December 24, 1999.

Jaswant Singh, External Affairs Minister had flown to Afghanistan and received the passengers. The passengers were flown back to New Delhi on December 31, 1999.

Profiles of the released terrorists:

Mohammad Masood Azhar (Pakistani): The secretary-general of the Harkat-ul-Ansar, arrested on February 11, 1994. Azhar was the ideologue of the Harkat ul-Ansar, a group on a U.S. list of terrorist organizations.
Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar (Indian National): Chief of the Al-Umar Mujahideen terrorist organization. He has been charged with executing a large number of men, women and children in cold blood.
Ahmed Omar Sayed Sheikh (Pakistani): The 28 year-old Harkut-ul-Ansar militant is a British national of Pakistani origin. He masterminded the kidnapping of three Britons and an American during September-October 1994.

Background Information

An Indian Airlines (flight number IC-814) aircraft flying from Kathmandu to New Delhi on December 24, 1999 with more than 180 persons was hijacked and made landings in India, Pakistan & United Arab Emirates and now landed in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Senior Indian officials opened talks directly with the hijackers to secure the release of hostages.

The Airport Authority of India has opened a counter at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi to give information about the hijacked Indian Airlines plane. The telephone numbers of the information counter are: 91-11-5653579, 91-11-5652011 (ext. 2508) and 91-11-5696021 (ext. 2508).

Indian Airlines: 91-11-5655110 & 91-11-5652173
Airports Authority of India: 91-11-5653217 & 91-11-5653218

List of Passengers & Crew (from Indian Airlines)

Name of the passenger killed by hijackers: Mr. Rupin Katyal

The Chronology of Events
(Courtesy of Rediff on the Net; http://www.rediff.com )

IA Flight 814 takes off from Kathmandu at 1615 (IST) hours on December 24, 1999. Air traffic control is reported as asserting that shots were heard on the plane.
The five armed hijackers make pilot Captain Saran divert the plane over Lucknow and head for Lahore in Pakistan.
The Lahore airport authorities refuse to permit the aircraft to land, forcing it to head back to Amritsar, India.
The plane lands at Amritsar where the hijackers demand that the aircraft be refueled. The airport is sealed off.
The airport authorities send over a tanker for refueling, but due to some problem they seek that the aircraft be brought closer to the tank.
After a 25-minute wait, the hijackers make the aircraft take off by killing a passenger, Mr. Katyal and head for Lahore, with just enough fuel for the trip.
India persuades the Pakistani authorities to permit the aircraft to land.
Lahore airport is sealed off.
The aircraft nearly crash lands and is surrounded by Pakistani commandos.
It is refueled and headed for Kabul. But because of the lack of night-landing facilities there, and later, at Kandahar, the plane is diverted towards Dubai.
It finally lands at the Al-Minhat air force base. The hijackers demand food, medicines and a step ladder since none is available.
The UAE officials agree to negotiate if the women and children are allowed to disembark.
The hijackers release 25 passengers, and allow the body of Mr. Katyal to be released to the UAE authorities.
Early on December 25, 1999 morning, the flight takes off from Dubai for Afghanistan. At 0855 hours, it lands at Kandahar.
Senior Indian officials opened talks with the hijackers to secure the release of hostages.
Hijackers demand release of 35 other jailed terrorists besides Mohammad Masood Azhar and US $200 million for the release of 154 hostages.
Later hijackers dropped their demands for a $200 million ransom and the exhumed remains of Afghan terrorist Sajjad Afghani.
Passenger were released on December 31, 1999 after Government of India releases 3 terrorists.
January 6, 2000: Hijackers have been identified as Pakistani nationals with links to ISI, an intelligence organization of the Pakistan Government.

Initial demand by the hijackers

The hijackers initially demanded the release Mohammad Masood Azhar, who is currently serving jail sentence in India for terrorist activities. Azhar is a Pakistani national and is the General Secretary and ideologue of the Harakat-ul-Mujahideen (HUM), an organization based in Pakistan which was in October 1997 designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the United States Department of State. The HUM was re-designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the State Department in its latest list released on October 8, 1999.

Latest demands by the hijackers

The hijackers of the Indian Airlines flight IC – 814 have demanded the release of 35 other jailed terrorists besides Mohammad Masood Azhar and US $200 million for the release of 154 hostages. The hijackers have also demanded that the body of Harkat-ul-Ansar chief in Jammu & Kashmir Sajjad Afghani be exhumed and the coffin be handed over to them.

According to news reports, the hijackers have dropped their demands for a $200 million ransom and the exhumed remains of Afghan terrorist Sajjad Afghani (06:30 AM EST, December 29, 1999).

Final Solution

India released 3 terrorists for the exchange of the Indian Airlines passengers.

Summary of External Affairs Minister's comments at a press briefing - December 27, 1999.

The Government of India continues to monitor the situation.

The Government has shared with the leaders of political parties in India information on developments in respect of the hijacking of flight IA-814. The leaders of political parties said that since developments were taking place at a fast pace, it was for the Government to decide on shapes should be taken.

The safety and security of the passengers and crew and, above all, the national interest of the country remain the two main elements of India's approach.

The meeting condoled the sad and regrettable death by stabbing of Shri Rupin Katyal.

An airplane with essential materials, doctors, relief crew and a negotiating team is in the process of leaving for Kandhar. It was our expectation that
the aircraft will leave for Kandhar within the next 2-3 hours.

In the course of the last two days EAM had contacted his counterparts in several countries including Australia, Russia, Canada, Great Britain, USA,
Switzerland, Italy, Bangladesh and Nepal to seek their active cooperation on humanitarian grounds.

In response to questions, EAM said the following:

The Government was aware of reports of the deadline apparently set by the hijackers. Our direct contacts with them will enable us to know the exact nature of their demands.

The relief aircraft would have gone yesterday but for procedural difficulties not on account of the Government of India.

The cooperation we are receiving from the US administration is totally satisfactory.

EAM has been in touch with his counterpart in Pakistan. The Pakistani reaction was that whatever they do will be within the four corners of the law and
transparent.

Statement by Jaswant Singh, External Affairs Minister at a Press Conference - December 26, 1999

It has been 48 hours since the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight 814. The Government's first concern remains the welfare of the passengers and crew who continue to be held captive by the hijackers. Their comfort and early safe return remains our first priority. This requires that the hijacking be terminated at the earliest. That is why, in the circumstances, we have been taking all steps that we believe are both prudent and productive towards these objectives.

Ever since the aircraft was hijacked, we have been constantly monitoring the situation. It left Dubai yesterday morning and reached Kandahar around 08-30 am. Since then, constant contact has been maintained with Taliban officials in Islamabad and Kandahar on this matter. In these contacts, we have consistently emphasised the importance that we attach to the safety and welfare of the passengers and crew.

Late last evening, a Taliban official in Islamabad informed our High Commission that two persons had come out of the aircraft. They were met by Taliban officials. They conveyed the demand for the release of Maulana Masood Azhar, a Pakistani national who has been in our custody, on charges of terrorism, since January 1994. Masood Azhar belongs to the Harkat-ul Mujahideen, which has been involved in terrorism in India and also in the kidnapping of five foreign nationals in India in 1994.

Repeated attempts have been made by the Pakistan Government to secure his release. Additionally, some other Pakistani terrorist organizations have also, in the past, resorted to terrorist and criminal methods for this very purpose.

The Government of India like a large section of the international community, condemns terrorism in all Its aspects. We have been engaged with our partners and friends abroad, bilaterally and in addressing international fora, in addressing this menace, of which many countries are targets. The present incident of hijacking, once again highlights the need for the international community to rally as one, to address the problem.

Ambassador Naresh Chandra's interview on CNN
December 26, 1999

ANDRIA HALL, CNN ANCHOR: Joining us now from Los Angeles, Naresh Chandra, the Indian ambassador to the United States.

Ambassador Chandra, thank you for joining us. Your government has said that it refuses to negotiate. Why, and if you don't open a dialogue, how do you expect this incident to end peacefully?

NARESH CHANDRA, INDIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES: Well, it is the policy of most governments not to negotiate with terrorists, because the danger is, if you succumb to these kinds of demands from terrorists who have involved in kidnapping, hijacking and murder, you will be setting a very bad incident.

This is not the first case where people have been kidnapped to secure the release of this particular individual from Pakistan. We had five people kidnapped by the same group some years back, and they killed one hostage -- Monstro (ph) -- beheaded him, and the fate of the other four hostages they have taken, it is still not known, which included an American and three Europeans.

HALL: The incident, of course, has fueled the political fire between India and Pakistan. What is the priority for your country then at this point for ending the crisis?

HALL: Well we would urge that this act of hijacking is not seen in the India-Pakistan context. It is the work of a terrorist group. It cannot be allowed to go on in this fashion. There is no question of succumbing to the demands under duress.

We are, of course, focusing on the safety and the security of the passengers and finding the best way to secure their release.

HALL: What do you suppose that best way is?

CHANDRA: Well, we will negotiate. There are people there, and the negotiation is not to be carried on through agencies like the U.N. They are there for humanitarian aid and assistance.

We feel that if international pressure is there, then the terrorists will find that the propaganda advantage they hope to derive from this dastardly act is not forthcoming. Then they will relent. If they are encouraged through the success of their propaganda, then of course they will persist for some time.

HALL: Are you advocating this to be a waiting game then at this point? You're going to wait these hijackers out?

CHANDRA: Well, I'm not directly involved with the negotiations at the ground or the concentration being given to it at Delhi. But it's a very hard (ph) choice that has been forced upon the government, and we are keeping our options open. But our policy not to negotiate with the terrorists in this kind of situation holds.

HALL: We received a press release from the embassy of Pakistan. I want to read to you a question that this press release raises. "Why did the Indian government refuse permission for the airliner to land at Lucknow, as requested by the captain. Can you answer that question for us, sir?

CHANDRA: Well, I'm not aware of the full facts. I'll have to check whether they requested permission to land at Lucknow. I'm sure if the permission was asked and it was safe to allow the plane to land there, the permission would have been given. So I'm not of the moment aware of all the facts at Lucknow. In fact, this is the first time I'm hearing of this addition.

HALL: And can you tell us your country's next step at this point, right now, today in the third day of this hostage standoff?

CHANDRA: We are in touch with friendly governments. There are nationals of other countries who are on the aircraft. The U.N. coordinator of Afghanistan, he's at Kandahar. And we are hoping that through the Taliban representatives, the U.N. representatives a proper message will be given to the terrorist group who are holding these people hostage that this is not going to succeed and that they have to come to terms with the reality.

HALL: Naresh Chandra, Ambassador to the U.S., we thank you for being with us on WORLDVIEW.

CHANDRA: Thank you, thank you.

Statement by the Prime Minister - December 25, 1999

Yesterday an Indian Airlines flight from Kathmandu to Delhi was hijacked. Since then, the hijackers have flown from airport to airport landing at Qandahar in Afghanistan earlier this morning.

My first concern is the safety of the passengers and the crew on board the aircraft. We are doing everything possible to ensure that they return home unharmed.

These last 20 hours have been extremely stressful for the families of the passengers and the crew. I understand and fully share their anxiety.

I also share the anger and grief in the country, particularly over the killing of Rupin Katyal.

I and my colleagues have been constantly monitoring the situation. We are in touch with various countries, as well as the United Nations.

This hijacking is an act of terrorism by desperate men who have no respect for human lives and human rights. It has brought home with full impact the horror of terrorism that the country faces.

We have to face this challenge with determination and self-confidence. My Government will not bend before such a show of terror.

President of India's Message - December 25, 1999

The heinous terrorist action of hijacking an Indian Airlines flight causing death, injury and grievous trauma to innocent passengers needs to be condemned in the strongest terms. This incident once again highlights the need for concerted international action to prevent terrorists from holding the world to ransom in the name of whatever causes they may claim to espouse.

I would like to express India's appreciation to all countries that extended cooperation in dealing with this serious incident. I join the nation in mourning the loss of life and in extending sympathetic support to the passengers and their near and dear ones who are undergoing prolonged anxiety and agony as a result of this dastardly act.

Profile of the terrorist group involved in hijacking

December 27, 1999

An Indian Airlines aircraft on a routine flight from Kathmandu (Nepal) to New Delhi on Friday December 24, was hijacked and, after a traumatic journey that took it to Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, is currently in Kandahar in southern Afghanistan since the early hours of Saturday December 25, where over 160 passengers and crew members continue to remain hostage in rapidly deteriorating conditions. A team of officials from India is presently negotiating with the hijackers in Kandahar in order to secure the safe and speedy release of all the hostages.

The hijackers have demanded the release from jail in India of Mohammad Masood Azhar, whom sections of the international media have euphemistically described as an Islamic cleric from Pakistan, but who is in fact the General Secretary and ideologue of the Harakat-ul-Mujahideen (HUM), an organization based in Pakistan which was in October 1997 designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation by the United States Department of State. The HUM was re-designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation by the State Department in its latest list released on October 8, 1999. Azhar is an “Islamic cleric” only in the sense that Sheikh Omar Abdel Rehman of the World Trade Center bombing notoriety was also said to be one.

In its ‘Background Information on Foreign Terrorist Organisations’ released on October 8 1999, the Office of Counterterrorism of the US Department of State has described the Harakat-ul-Mujahideen (HUM), a.k.a. Harakat-ul-Ansar, HUA, Al Hadid, Al Hadith, Al Faran as an “Islamic militant group based in Pakistan” … whose “leader Fazlur Rehman Khalil has been linked to Bin Laden and signed his fatwa in February 1998, calling for attacks on US and Western interests”. Khalil, who was the Commander-in-Chief of the Harakat-ul-Jehad-e-Islami International (HUJI), broke away from the parent organization in 1985 to form a separate group Harakat-ul-Mujahideen. There were subsequent attempts to re-unite the two breakaway factions, and the merged group came to be known as the Harakat-ul-Ansar. It changed its name to Harakat-ul-Mujahideen in 1997 after it was designated a terrorist organization by the United States. Masood Azhar, the General Secretary of the organisation, who hails from Bahawalpur in Pakistan, entered the state of Jammu & Kashmir in India in January 1994 on a false Portuguese passport and was arrested by the Indian police the following month because of his involvement in terrorist activities.

There have been several earlier attempts by the HUM to secure the release of Masood Azhar by resorting to abduction as a bargaining tool. Two British nationals were kidnapped on June 6, 1994 at Pahalgam in Jammu & Kashmir. Another group of three Britishers and one American was abducted in Delhi in September the same year. Six foreign tourists, including two American nationals, were kidnapped again at Pahalgam in July 1995. One of the hostages, John Childs (a citizen of the USA) escaped, another (a Norwegian national) was beheaded by the Harakat, and four others, including an American national, are still missing. The recent hijacking of the Indian Airlines aircraft is the most brazen terrorist attempt yet by the HUM to secure the release of its General Secretary Masood Azhar.

The Government of India most vehemently condemns this and all acts of terrorism. The United States Government today has also condemned in the strongest terms the hijacking of the Indian Airlines aircraft and the holding of 160 passengers as hostages. India’s External Affairs Minister Mr. Jaswant Singh has called attention to the need for the international community to rally as one to address the problem.

US Reaction to the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC-814

Press Statement by James B. Foley, Deputy Spokesman
December 31, 1999

Release of hostages from hijacking of Indian Airlines

We join India and those other countries affected by the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814 in welcoming home the hostages who were released December 31. We reiterate our condemnation of this horrific and inhuman act.

We are gratified that the hijacking was resolved with no additional loss of life. Our sympathy goes out to the family of Mr. Katyal, the Indian national who was killed during the hijacking. We wish to acknowledge the important role played by the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross, which provided valuable humanitarian support to alleviate the plight of the hostages during this ordeal.

We were in close touch with the Indian government during this incident and were impressed by the tireless efforts of Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh, and other Indian officials to resolve the incident. We will continue to work with India and others to strengthen our cooperation to combat international terrorism. As Prime Minister Vajpayee said in his address to the Indian people on New Year’s Eve, "The battle against terrorism can be won by all nations acting together."

The release of the hostages is not the end of the matter. We will work with other governments to see that those responsible are brought to justice.

In this connection, all parties to the relevant international convention on aircraft hijacking are obliged to prosecute or extradite those who committed this hijacking and the murder of Mr. Katyal during the course of it. This should be our highest priority in the days ahead.

Statement by Spokesman, US Department of State

December 27, 1999

The United States Government condemns in the strongest terms the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight 814 and the holding of 160 passengers as hostages since Friday, December 24. We consider this terrorist act inhuman and we call for the immediate safe release of all hostages. We understand that the Indian Airlines flight that originated in Kathmandu, Nepal, continues to be held at the Kandahar Airport in Afghanistan by hijackers. We understand from press accounts that the hijackers are demanding the release of a number of individuals under detention in India. These include Masood Azhar, whose release was the objective of an earlier terrorist kidnapping in Kashmir. Azhar was affiliated with the Harakat ul-Ansar, a group now known as the Harakat ul-Mujahideen and designated by the U.S. government as a "foreign terrorist organization."

We welcome the news that an Indian negotiating team is in Kandahar and has begun its work with Taliban authorities, UN representatives, and the hijackers toward a resolution. We call on the Taliban authority and the governments of the region to work together in close coordination to end this hijacking and to restrict their public comments to those that serve this objective. Obviously, the hijackers are responsible for the safety of the hostages they are holding.

We also welcome UN preparations for contingencies at the Kandahar airport. We will remain in close contact with the governments of India and Pakistan as well as with UN representatives.

Congressman Frank Pallone condemns Indian Airlines hijacking; calls for greater India - US cooperation in fight against terrorism

December 31, 1999

Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr., D-NJ, today strongly condemned the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight 814 and the holding of 160 passengers and crew as hostages.

Pallone, who has been one of Congress's most outspoken voices warning of the danger of the armed separatist movement operating in India's state of Jammu and Kashmir, said that the incident demonstrates the need for the U.S. to upgrade its cooperation with India on counter-terrorism efforts.

"At this time, our foremost thoughts are with the hostages and their families," Pallone said. "I appeal to the hijackers to release the passengers and crew, and I urge the Taliban authorities to play a helpful role in bringing this crisis to a peaceful conclusion.

"This incident is another reminder of the threat that terrorism poses to all democracies. India and the United States have both been particularly targeted by Osama bin-Laden and the loose network of militant forces who share his goals. This is a further indication of the need for increased partnership between the U.S. and India in identifying the shared threats we face and devising ways to protect our citizens in ways consistent with open, democratic societies."

Pallone said the current hostage situation is linked to the militant movement waging a campaign of terror and violence against both military and civilian targets in an effort to end Indian governance of Kashmir. Pakistan has acknowledged its "political and moral" support for the separatist movement, but Pallone has frequently charged that Pakistan's support goes far deeper. The U.S. State Department has described the Harakat-ul-Mujahudeen as an "Islamic militant group based in Pakistan." One of the hijackers' demands is the release of the organization's General Secretary, Masood Azhar, who hails from Pakistan.

"I hope this incident will alert the world to the threat India faces from this terrorist movement," Pallone said. "I believe that Pakistan must be held accountable for contributing to this violence and instability. There should be more pressure brought to bear on Pakistan to be part of the solution, instead of continuing to exacerbate this problem."

Senator Harry Reid denounces hijacking of Indian Airlines Jet

December 29, 1999
Washington, DC

U.S. Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), Assistant Democratic Leader in the U.S. Senate, today condemned the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814 by terrorists and expressed his strong support for the Indian government's ongoing efforts to release the hostages.

"The hijacking of the Indian Airlines jet and murder of an innocent civilian are reprehensible acts of lawlessness and must be condemned by the international community. My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of this criminal act and it is my hope that the situation will be resolved immediately," said Senator Reid.

Reid, who will be a part of a congressional delegation trip to six countries in early January, including India, said that he expects to discuss how the U.S. Government can work with India and other nations in a multilateral effort to fight terrorism.

"Combating terrorism at home and abroad will be one of our biggest national security challenges in the new century, and because it's a global problem, it demands a unified global response from peace-loving nations," said Reid. Reid pointed to the recent rumor that a suspected terrorist bought an airline ticket to Las Vegas as an example how terrorism can affect people's daily lives. "No one is immune from the fear that terrorism can instill in people, as evidenced by the unconfirmed reports that a suspected terrorist planned to travel to Las Vegas. It demonstrates the need for law enforcement to be constantly vigilant and to keep the fight against terrorism at the top of the international agenda," said Reid.

Reid said he contacted the FBI after the reports and was informed that the FBI has not uncovered any credible evidence that anyone suspected of terrorism has traveled to Las Vegas. Reid has asked federal law enforcement to keep him informed of any developments concerning the matter.

Congressman McCollum Condemns Terrorist Hijacking of Indian Airlines

December 28, 1999
Washington, D.C.

Rep. Bill McCollum (R-FL), Chairman of the House Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare, issued the following statement condemning the actions of the hijackers of an Indian Airlines aircraft currently grounded in Afghanistan:

"State-sponsored terrorism, such as this hijacking, is unacceptable. The United States and the civilized societies of the world must never condone this most inhumane form of terrorism. We, along with our allies such as India, must together fight terrorism in order to protect the lives of innocent men, women and children around the world."

"It is my hope and my prayer that this tragic situation be resolved as quickly as possible, and all of the hostages will remain unharmed and will be freed. May our prayers be with the passengers, flight crew and their families during this tragic ordeal."

Congressmen Gilman and Gejdenson Condemn Terrorist Hijacking of Indian Airlines Jet

Washington DC, December 26, 1999- House International Relations Committee Chairman Ben Gilman (R-NY) and Ranking Democrat Sam Gejdenson (D-CT) condemned the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight 814 as a blatant act of terrorism and urged for the immediate release of all passengers and crew.

"The kidnapping and murder of innocent civilians and the hijacking of an airplane is a hideous form of terrorism that our nation and the civilized world will never condone," Chairman Gilman stated. "The Committee on International Relations and the U.S. Congress sends its sympathy to the victims and families and its support to the Indian government during this tragedy."

"This is a cowardly act of terrorism against innocent civilians," Gejdenson stated. "Our hearts go out to the passengers and families as they endure this horrible ordeal. Chairman Gilman and I extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. Katyal and others who may have lost their loved ones to this barbaric act."

The two lawmakers pledged the support of the United States Congress in working with India and other countries to combat global terrorism.

"Terrorism is the single biggest threat to our national security." Gejdenson noted. "As we have seen by this latest hijacking, terrorism knows no boundaries. I intend to discuss with the Indian government ways in which the United States and India can work together to combat terrorism." The Connecticut lawmaker will be leading a trade delegation to India in January.

"We urge the hijackers to release the passengers and crew of Indian Airlines flight 814. Freedom loving nations around the world will never sympathize with a political cause that commits unforgivable crimes against innocent civilians," Chairman Gilman pointed out. "Rep. Gejdenson and I believe that this ordeal once again strongly indicates that the United States and India face similar threats to our common democratic forms of governments and we must forge closer ties on every level and particularly in combating terrorism."

Media reports on hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC-814

U.S. Pressures Pakistan to Cut Ties With Extremist Groups - Washington Post, January 26, 2000
U.S. Concludes Pakistan-Backed Group Played Role in Hijacking - New York Times, January 25, 2000
Use leverage on Pakistan while we can - Los Angeles Times, January 18, 2000
Weapons against terrorism - Washington Times, January 11, 2000
Hostage Confirms Hijackers' Identities - Associated Press, January 11, 2000
Undiminished terrorism threat - The Washington Times, January 5, 2000
Hunt these hijackers down - The Chicago Tribune, January 03, 2000
We must formulate plan to deal with terrorists - The Buffalo News, January 01, 2000
Hijackers Demand $200 Million and 35 Rebels' Release - Los Angeles Times, December 29, 1999
3rd Attempt to Free Pakistani Militant - New York Times, December 29, 1999
Hijackers wage their holy war - Christian Science Monitor, December 27, 1999

Some of the longest hijackings:

July 23 - September 1, 1968 (40 days): Members of the popular front for the liberation of Palestine divert a Rome to Tel Aviv flight on El Al to Algiers. The last hostages are released on September 1, 1968.

June 14 - July 1, 1985 (18 days): Shiite gunmen seize a TWA Boeing 727, forcing it to Beirut, Lebanon. They demand the release of 700 Arabs held by Israel. A US Navy diver is killed and 39 Americans are held until they are released after Syrian mediation.

April 5 - 20, 1988 (16 days): Shiite gunmen hijack a Kuwait Airways Jumbo jet en route from Thailand to Kuwait and divert it to Iran, Cyprus and Algeria. They demand Kuwait free 17 pro-Iranian terrorists. The hijackers kill two passengers and free the rest.

March 2- 14, 1981 (13 days): Three Pakistanis hijack a Pakistan International Airlines plane on a flight from Karachi to Peshawar, and force it to fly to Afghanistan and then to Syria. They leave the aircraft after Pakistan agrees to free 54 political prisoners.

December 24 - 31, 1999 (8 days): Hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC - 814

June 27 - July 4, 1976 (8 days): Palestinian and German terrorists hijack an Air France airliner to Entebbe, Uganda, and demand the release of 53 pro-Palestinian prisoners in Israel, Kenya and Europe. Israeli commandos raid the craft and rescue the hostages, killing four civilians during the rescue.

December 3 - 8, 1984 (6 days): Shiite gunmen seize a Kuwait Airways plane from Dubai to Karachi and force it to land in Tehran. They demand that Kuwaiti free 17 people convicted of carrying out bombings on US and French facilities in Kuwait. Two Americans are killed. Iranian security forces then storm the Jetliner.